Saint Martin’s Day at the Table: Chestnuts and Wines to Pair with Autumn Flavours

As autumn arrives, chestnuts take centre stage at the table. Roasted, boiled or incorporated into more elaborate recipes, they are one of the season’s most versatile ingredients and a great starting point for exploring new food and wine pairings.

This Saint Martin’s Day, we bring together a selection of dishes and pairing suggestions to make the most of this seasonal combination.

Roasted Chestnuts and Red Wines: A Classic Pairing

With their subtly sweet flavour and toasted notes resulting from roasting, chestnuts call for wines that can match their intensity without overpowering them.

Medium-bodied red wines, with expressive fruit, freshness and well-balanced tannins, are an excellent choice. Their structure complements the smoky notes of the chestnuts, creating a harmonious pairing.

[Discover Ravasqueira Vinha das Romãs Tinto]

Chestnut and Mushroom Soup with White Wine

The velvety texture of chestnuts makes them particularly well suited to soups and creamy dishes. Combined with sautéed mushrooms, they take on a more earthy and delicate character.

For this pairing, we suggest a white wine with good structure and acidity, capable of balancing the creaminess of the dish while enhancing the aromas of the mushrooms. A white wine with some complexity and oak ageing can add even greater depth to the pairing.

[Discover Quinta de Pancas Grande Reserva Branco]

Pork Tenderloin with Chestnut Purée

The combination of pork and chestnuts is one of the most rewarding pairings in autumn cuisine. The succulence of the meat contrasts with the smooth texture and subtle sweetness of the chestnut purée, creating a rich and balanced dish.

In this case, a medium- to full-bodied red wine, with ripe fruit, good acidity and well-integrated tannins, complements the intensity of the meat while enhancing the natural sweetness of the chestnuts.

[Discover Quinta do Côtto Reserva Tinto]

Chestnuts in Desserts: The Sweeter Side of Autumn

Chestnuts also have a special place in autumn desserts. In cakes, tarts and mousses, or paired with chocolate, they reveal a more delicate and naturally sweet side.

For these combinations, the choice of wine will depend on the intensity and sweetness of the dessert. A late-harvest wine can be particularly well suited to chestnut-based desserts, provided it has enough sweetness to stand alongside the dish.

[Discover Ravasqueira Late Harvest]

A Taste of Autumn

This Saint Martin’s Day, explore different combinations, discover new wines and make the most of the flavours that make this season so special.

Because a good wine always finds new ways to surprise when shared around the table.